Is it possible to give mushrooms to children consequences. What mushrooms can be given to children. At what age can children be given mushrooms

The first spoonful of cauliflower is eaten, the first grams of porridge, cottage cheese, meat, and finally bread ... And now the baby reaches for his father's plate and asks to treat him to mushroom soup. What to do? Is it possible or not? And if so, when? Questions are answered by specialists: a pediatrician and a nutrition consultant.

Yulia Klimova, pediatrician, EMC Children's Clinic, Candidate of Medical Sciences:

According to nutritionists, mushrooms have nutritional value, contain proteins, B vitamins (B1, B2, PP, C) and minerals. As in the case of chocolate, the opinions of experts regarding the first acquaintance with the product do not differ in unity: from 1.5 to 7 and even up to 10 years, when the formation of the digestive system is completed.

In the diet of a child, mushrooms can be no more than twice a week. Such caution arises due to the content of poorly digestible dietary fiber (fiber) in mushrooms, which makes it difficult to absorb other beneficial substances. In addition, the body of young children is particularly sensitive to toxins that may be contained in mushrooms, getting into them from the external environment. It is known that among all poisoned children, about 50% are preschoolers. The exceptions are champignons and oyster mushrooms grown in artificial conditions. They are given in very small quantities as part of vegetable or cereal dishes to children from 1.5 years old.

You should not treat children with pickled or salted mushrooms due to the high content of vinegar and salt in them.

Of course, it is wrong to consider nutrition only as a process of supplying nutrients to the body. After all, food is also a source of joy. The main thing is that everything should be in moderation!

Katerina Kronstedt, founder of the katerina.ru grocery delivery service, studies in Sweden as a nutrition consultant, mother of three children:

With mushrooms, it is important to be on the lookout. Whatever mushroom specialists you are, forest mushrooms are in any case a risk. And if adults can still risk their own health, then they definitely should not risk the health of their own children. Therefore, it is categorically not recommended to eat mushrooms grown in the wild (and, moreover, bought from hands), neither for children, nor for pregnant women, nor for nursing mothers. As for the "store" species, grown specially and under appropriate conditions, that is, they can, but infrequently and little by little.

You should not give mushrooms to children under three years old at all (although many doctors say up to seven). You need to start acquaintance, using them only as a flavor additive (for example, sauce) to the main dish. If there are no problems with digestion, mushroom soups and side dishes can be introduced into the diet.

Heavy combinations of mushrooms with dough - in pies, pancakes, pizza, etc. - are best avoided until adolescence. And, as for salted and pickled mushrooms: this appetizer is for adults only. There is practically no benefit from them, but there are just as many problems with digestion. Expectant mothers should also refrain from them - due to the large amount of salt, they can cause not only heartburn and nausea, but also swelling.

Mushrooms are known for their nutritional properties. The protein contained in them is similar to meat protein, which allows them to replace meat in vegetarian cuisine and during traditional fasts. In addition, mushrooms contain a whole complex of minerals, they contain a lot of potassium, magnesium, iron, zinc, vitamins of groups B, A, P and C. However, due to the abundance of vegetable fiber, they are difficult to digest and, in addition to allergies, can cause a variety of digestive disorders. And since the immunity and digestion of the child is in its infancy, the child's body tends to react particularly sharply to such "acquaintances" with new products. Therefore, the obvious answer to the question “can children have mushrooms” is that it’s better not to, and the later the better.

Few people are able to refuse deliciously cooked fragrant mushrooms: butter, porcini, chanterelles or saffron mushrooms. This is one of the most pleasant seasonings that can save any dish. When is the first “meeting” of a child with mushrooms acceptable? Are they dangerous or not? How often should they be added to the diet? All this is the subject of this article.

The composition and benefits of mushrooms

Mushrooms are a specific product, there are people who do not eat them, as they consider them harmful and even dangerous to health. This is partly true, but with proper use of this product, it will bring a lot of benefits. Consider the composition of mushrooms and the effect of these substances on the body:

Protein, it is the same as in meat. True, it is absorbed worse than beef or chicken - this is due to a significant amount of fiber.
Carbohydrates are another important component, a source of energy. Due to their special structure, they (like protein) are poorly absorbed.
Fats - even a child's body perceives them well, most of all their quantity is in everyone's favorite porcini mushrooms, mushrooms and, perhaps, the safest and most common champignons.
Resins - it is thanks to them that some types of mushrooms have an interesting aftertaste, a little spicy. Resinous substances are harmful for children, therefore, babies and even teenagers should not be given traps and milk mushrooms. To this "duet" add mushrooms.
Minerals, especially potassium and phosphorus. Useful for the skeletal system.
Organic acids, including lactic, acetic and others. They are the defenders of the body against infections, bacteria, meeting with them, weaken or even die. "Side" effect - strengthening immunity. Thus, the chances of "enemies" to survive are significantly reduced.
Enzymes - especially mushrooms have a lot of them. These substances activate the processing of proteins and fats with carbohydrates.
Essential oils. It is they who give the mushrooms a truly "magic" flavor. The wonderful smell is one of the main reasons for the universal love for this product.
Vitamins. We will not list everything, but we will mention the most important ones: retinol, riboflavin, thiamine, pyridoxine, cholecalciferol, ascorbic acid and many others. There are even more B vitamins in mushrooms than in cereals!

Cute boletus, white, mushrooms, boletus - all these are sources of amino acids, getting into the body, they get to the muscle cells with the help of the circulatory system and ... contribute to their growth. Something like a building material for muscles.

Attention! The caps contain more nutrients than the legs. We hope you get the hint.

At what age can children eat mushrooms?

This question is asked at some point by every responsible parent. Opinions differ on the optimal age for adding mushrooms to children's diets. So, some extreme parents (yes, that’s right) add them to food for babies who have not yet reached a year old - we don’t even consider this option, because a child is not a testing ground, risking his health is a crime.

According to pediatricians, the main harm of mushrooms is caused by the chitin contained in them, concentrated mainly in the legs. This is a difficult to digest substance that not even all adults are able to digest, not to mention children with their not fully developed digestive system. If you don’t know what chitin is, let’s explain - the element that makes up the shell of turtles and some other animals. What do you think, is it worth offering the baby food "armor"?

Another reason why mushrooms should not be consumed at an early age is their susceptibility to harmful substances. They absorb them from air, soil, water. In its structure, the pulp of the product is similar to a sponge, in which toxins, radionuclides and other "pests" accumulate.

Especially dangerous are mushrooms collected near highways, industrial enterprises, including chemical plants. This is an explanation of why children used to eat white, butter and mushrooms from an early age, and nothing bad happened to their body. Centuries have passed since then, everything has changed, the ecological situation is much worse, so many products have to be handled more carefully.

Introduction of mushrooms to the baby's diet

Actually, it’s more correct to say not a baby, but a schoolboy, because the use of mushrooms from the age of 7 is considered absolutely safe. By this period, the formation of the child's digestive system is completely completed. Of course, many parents offer mushrooms much earlier. Well, it remains only for them to be reminded of the possible risks. Rules for the introduction of mushrooms in the diet of children:

for the first time, it is enough for a child to try literally 1-2 g of the product, it is safest to offer the baby champignons or wild mushrooms not from the market;
during the addiction period, mushrooms are not cooked separately, they are added to sauces - even a minimal amount is enough to give the mass an aroma and a characteristic taste;
you should especially carefully monitor the reaction of your daughter or son, at the slightest suspicious symptoms (we will write about this later), call an ambulance, in no case should you self-medicate or act on the principle “maybe it will pass by itself”;
You can offer mushrooms to children no more than 1-2 times a week.

Important! Regardless of the state of health, salted and pickled mushrooms are contraindicated for a child. They are often offered during festive feasts, parents at such moments, as a rule, are in a good mood and lose their vigilance.

When to issue an alert?

Several symptoms may be cause for concern. Consider their groups:

with mild poisoning, the child may feel dizzy, he becomes lethargic and weak, refuses active games, may experience pain in the abdomen, but the pain is not so severe that he screams;
moderate severity - to the symptoms listed above, an abundant secretion of saliva is added, a change in the shape of the pupils - they become smaller, the baby screams from a piercing pain in the abdomen;
Severe poisoning. It is characterized by vomiting, excruciating headache, sometimes yellowing of the skin, a sharp onset of spasms is also possible, up to convulsions, hallucinations and delirium (especially after eating fly agarics), vomiting does not stop, it is continuous.

What to do? Most often, a sharp deterioration in the health of a child after eating mushrooms causes panic. Try to be calm, call an ambulance. It is advisable to stimulate vomiting so that toxins come out with the masses - for this it is necessary to give the baby plenty of water to drink, and also press on the tongue with a teaspoon (on the root). An additional measure is activated charcoal and an enema.

Mushrooms are a tasty food that many people love, but nevertheless, it is fraught with danger. Parents who love to eat mushrooms are interested in the question of how it is for children to eat mushrooms.

Can children eat mushrooms? The unequivocal answer is no. It should be remembered that such a product should not be given to a child who is less than five years old. Even if it's just a harmless mushroom pie, mushroom pizza or soup. The children's body is designed in such a way that it does not have enough enzymes that can digest this product.

Many people think that children can eat mushrooms. This is a big misconception. It is strictly forbidden to give the child salted and pickled mushrooms. This type of mushroom contains a lot of vinegar, which should not be given to babies. Based on these factors, the question is whether children can eat mushrooms - absolutely not.

White mushroom

Porcini mushrooms are not recommended for children, as well as other mushrooms. They contain many harmful substances that accumulate for a long time. The children's body is not able to cope with such toxins, therefore, children are not allowed to use white fungus, let alone include it in their diet. Even when a child reaches school age, doctors do not recommend eating mushroom dishes.

The use of white mushrooms for children can adversely affect the work and health of not only the gastrointestinal tract, but the whole organism as a whole.

Mushrooms for children, from what age?

In principle, at any childhood age, they should not be eaten. It is better when a child already in adulthood wants to try them himself. By refusing this product, children will not lose anything. In case of poisoning, immediately call an ambulance.

Mushrooms for children, from what age - it is best to refrain from taking them. But if it so happens that parents are going to give this dish to a child, then you should know how to cook them correctly. Mushrooms are boiled for a long time, after which they can be stewed.

If they are given to a child, then you can not fry. If a non-edible mushroom is caught, then no heat treatment can remove toxins. Mushrooms for children, from what age - at any age for a child it is harmful.

There are a large number of diverse and healthy products that can replace mushrooms for a child. Moreover, as such, there is no benefit for the child's body in white and ordinary mushrooms. Therefore, it is worth thinking several times about what to include this product in the diet. The best solution would be to abandon mushrooms in any form, since the potential threat to the health of the child is much higher than the selfish benefit.

Mushrooms can rightfully be attributed to the national cuisine of Russia. Mushroom dish is sure to decorate the festive table. However, forest beauties are difficult to digest foods, and the introduction of such a delicacy into a baby’s diet can cause a lot of negative manifestations. Why can't children eat mushrooms?

Why do pediatricians strictly forbid feeding babies mushrooms, and at what age can a child eat a healthy forest delicacy? If the disputes of pediatricians and nutritionists about fruits and vegetable baits diverge, then in the case of mushrooms they are unanimous: it’s impossible! What is the reason for such a categorical refusal? And when can you eat at all?

The fact is that the gastrointestinal tract of babies begins to function in a full-fledged mode only from the age of seven.

To give a small child a product that is difficult to digest means to harm his digestive system.

There are two main reasons why mushrooms are forbidden to children:

the presence of chitin in the composition of mushrooms;
bad ecology.

Chitin is a substance that is practically not absorbed by the human body: the shell of animals is formed from this element. It is clear that loading the gastrointestinal tract of a baby with such food is simply unacceptable. An adult stomach can hardly absorb such an education, and a child's stomach will not be able to at all.

The property of any mushroom is the absorption of everything that is in the air. A fungus is a sponge that is filled with harmful substances that are in abundance in our surrounding space. These are acid rain, and emissions from car engines, and much more. All this is in the tissues of forest mushrooms.

But what about our ancestors? Since how old have they been feeding mushrooms to children? In ancient times, there were no pediatricians and periodic tables, and everything could be given to eat! In those days, a child could be given everything to eat, because the environment was not spoiled by the chemical industry and harmful emissions into the atmosphere.

When is it allowed to feed the baby mushrooms?

There is no unanimous opinion among experts on this matter. In different sources, you can read conflicting information about the age at which it is permissible to eat mushrooms. To give or not to give the child mushrooms (and what kind) - the mother will decide. Sample list of recommendations:

up to two years - it is impossible;
after two years - cultivated mushrooms are allowed;
from the age of five - in sauces;
from the age of seven - it is allowed to feed.

Up to two years, this type of food falls under a categorical ban!

Starting from the age of two, you can give children culturally grown plants: champignons, oyster mushrooms. Only not with whole fruits, but cook sauces based on mushrooms.

From the age of five, you can try adding sauces based on forest products to the menu. You should only carefully monitor the well-being of the baby: will he complain of heaviness in the stomach? The sauce contains chitin in a minimal concentration, so it should not harm a small stomach.

By the age of seven, the children's gastrointestinal tract completes its formation, and you can begin to give forest mushrooms. The processing of the product must be thorough, there can be no talk of any pickled and canned mushrooms! You can cook sauces, soups and other delicacies. If you doubt the child's ability to digest this food, just feed sauces without the mushrooms themselves.

If a child suffers from abnormalities in the digestive system, it is allowed to feed mushrooms only from the age of 10 years.

Poisoning

Intoxication of the body with poison can be deadly for a small organism. The kid can take the fungus from the table of adults and eat without permission. Often children on walks in the forest try raw mushrooms “by the tooth”. What to do if the child becomes ill, and how to identify the symptoms of poisoning?

If the baby has tried a couple of mushrooms on the table, the poisoning will not be strong. To a mild degree of intoxication include:

nausea;
slight malaise;
dizziness;
pain in the abdomen.

Poisoning with poisonous mushrooms can cause:

constriction of the pupils;
copious saliva;
unbearable pain in the abdomen.

The baby will be very sick, vomiting and profuse salivation will appear. He will feel severe weakness and unbearable pain in the abdomen. Symptoms of intoxication always develop rapidly, and the baby needs urgent help.

The most dangerous thing is to find a fly agaric and taste it.

Fly agaric looks very elegant and attractive for a child: always remember this when going to the forest with children! Symptoms of fly agaric intoxication:

change in pupils;
change in the psyche - inhibition or excitation;
constant vomiting and salivation;
cramps of the limbs and delirium;
possible hallucinations.

The presence of a temperature when overeating mushrooms is a good sign. This indicates the bacterial nature of the disease, and not about intoxication.

Help with poisoning

You need to try to find out what exactly the child ate. If he is unable to respond, do the following:

call an ambulance;
wash the stomach;
put an enema;
give activated charcoal.

You can't self-medicate! Give activated charcoal in sufficient quantity: according to the weight of the child. Coal absorbs poisons and brings them out.

After the measures taken, drink the child warm tea and put to bed. To avoid such cases, watch the children for a walk in the forest and do not leave the festive table with mushrooms unattended!

What could be tastier than fragrant mushroom soup, pizza or potatoes with mushrooms. It is no wonder that adults often have a question: is it possible to give mushrooms to children? Unfortunately, there is no definitive answer to this thorny question. Opinions differ both among ordinary inhabitants and among venerable doctors. On the one hand, this product is appetizing and extremely healthy. On the other hand, every year, through his fault, hundreds of children and adults are hospitalized with poisoning. Let's try to sort out the conflicting information.

Mushroom is a tasty and appetizing component of the daily diet. It is added to the first and second courses, fragrant snacks and flour delicacies are prepared from it. This is a worldwide approved product that can be eaten dried, boiled, baked, fried. They feast on mushrooms all year round, picking them in the forest or buying them in a supermarket.

Composition of mushrooms

Before deciding at what age you can fearlessly give mushrooms to a child, and whether this can be done, we recommend that you find out their composition. The product contains:

A protein that is comparable in nutritional value to that found in meat. Proteins of 100 g of meat are comparable in nutritional value to 1 kg of protein. mushrooms. The only difference between the products is that mushroom fiber is poorly digested and difficult to digest in the stomach.
Carbohydrates in a small amount, the absorption of which is complicated by the same fiber.
Fats that are quickly digested in the stomach. The largest amount of fat contains champignons, mushrooms and porcini mushrooms.
Sugar substances that give the product a pleasant taste.
Essential oils that cause a persistent mushroom aroma.
Resins responsible for a specific spicy taste.
Lactic, butyric, oleic, stearic, acetic and other organic acids.
Enzymes and minerals, including potassium and phosphorus.
Niacin, vitamins D, A, C, groups B and PP.
Amino acids, animal starch glycogen, lecithin, beta-glucans and water.

The benefits of the gifts of the forest

Why are mushrooms so attractive and useful?

This is a low-calorie product that is ideal for a dietary diet. The high protein content allowed mushrooms to be one of the main components of the vegetarian diet.
Lecithin removes cholesterol from the body and prevents its accumulation. The product is useful to use with impaired metabolism, urolithiasis and cardiovascular problems.
Mushrooms are considered an excellent prevention of hypertension, they are effective in the treatment of obesity and diabetes, atherosclerosis and heart disease.
Beta-glucans of the product strengthen the immune system, increasing the regenerative functions of the body.
Most types of mushrooms contain ergothioneine. It is a powerful natural antioxidant that prevents the occurrence of cancer and helps to alleviate the condition in the presence of tumors.

Why are mushrooms harmful?

The leg and hat of forest dwellers have a loose porous structure and absorb anything from the earth, soil and air. The first to get there are toxins and poisons, as well as salts of lead, mercury, cadmium and other heavy metals. The digestive system in children is not as perfect as in adults, and is not able to digest this concentrated "cocktail". It must also be remembered that the concentration of toxins increases during dry seasons, when metabolic processes inside the fungus slow down significantly.

In addition, mushroom pulp is considered a heavy food due to its high fiber content. It accumulates in the intestines, clogs it, preventing the nutrients from other foods from being fully absorbed. In combination with chitin, which is also found in mushrooms, it causes indigestion. Given the fragile immunity of the baby, all this in combination can provoke a persistent allergy to mushrooms and dishes from them.

What is useful to know:

You can give children only those types of product, the quality and safety of which you are 100% sure. This applies to oyster mushrooms and champignons, a little later the menu can be expanded with porcini mushrooms, boletus and honey mushrooms.
Mushrooms, saffron mushrooms and volnushki, especially those collected along the road and in unknown places, are strictly prohibited.
It is forbidden to give mushrooms to children if they are bought not in a supermarket, but from hands or in spontaneous markets.
A child should not eat pickled, fried or salted mushrooms. The later you start allowing him to eat heavy and useless food for the body, the better.

Mushrooms in the diet of children

When can a forest product be introduced into a child's diet? According to doctors, it is categorically not recommended to do this up to 2 years. As for children from 2 to 5 years old, mushrooms are introduced into their menu in limited quantities and gradually.

It must be a store bought product.
First, mushrooms are served as an addition to the main course, preparing, for example, a sauce from them.
A little later, the baby is offered no more than 1 time per week peeled, chopped and boiled mushrooms. You can make broth, puree soup or regular soup from them.

At what age can you give mushrooms to children? The optimal age is 7-8 years. By this time, the babies have a fully formed digestive system and a fairly strong immune system. If the child has problems with the intestines, stomach and other internal organs, it is better to refrain from the product until the age of 10.

Can mushrooms be given to young children: Dr. Komarovsky (video)

Mushroom poisoning: what to do?

Before giving mushrooms to children, you need to know that there are cases of acute food poisoning with forest gifts. How to distinguish the symptoms of a particular intoxication?

Easy . Dizziness and general weakness, abdominal pains are sharp, but quite tolerable. The general condition is stable, far from critical, it may be possible to do without medical assistance.
The average . The head is spinning and there is weakness, the stomach hurts, there are cramps and profuse salivation, the pupils constrict, and paleness of the skin is observed. Over time, the symptoms worsen, the pain in the abdomen increases and becomes unbearable, which requires immediate medical attention.
Amanita. The diameter of the pupils changes, frequent vomiting and profuse salivation are observed. In parallel, there is profuse sweating, excitability, or, conversely, stupor and complete apathy. The condition can be complicated by spasms, hallucinations and convulsions of varying strength.
Cholera-like. General weakness and weakness, which is accompanied by bouts of severe headache. In parallel, there is severe nausea and vomiting, pain and cramps in the abdomen. Symptoms develop sharply, progressively, accompanied by yellowness of the skin.

When all the signs of intoxication are present, but there is a temperature, then poisoning is bacterial, not toxic. If the condition is accompanied by vomiting and deterioration of well-being, you should immediately consult a doctor.

Until the doctor arrives parents can do the following:

Wrap the baby in a warm blanket or blanket and overlay with warm heating pads. Elevated body temperature is detrimental to gelvellic acid, which provokes poisoning.
While the child is conscious, it is worth finding out to the maximum what kind of mushroom he ate and in what quantity. The information is useful not only for parents, it can be useful to the emergency doctor.
It is advisable to drink the poisoned person with activated charcoal. How many tablets can be given to children? It is calculated based on body weight.
A prerequisite is a plentiful warm drink and an enema. If there is no vomiting, it is recommended to cause the urge to it artificially. At first, the baby is given cool water to drink, and after each sip, lightly press with a finger or a teaspoon on the root of the tongue.
Sour and salty drinks and foods are strictly prohibited during this period. They will not help, but will aggravate the situation and help the toxin to be absorbed faster into the mucous membranes of the stomach and intestines.

Mushroom poisoning is a dangerous condition that requires immediate action. Otherwise, serious consequences cannot be avoided. The fact is that the symptoms of poisoning are detected late, by this time the liver is often destroyed by poisons.

At what age to give the baby mushrooms is a question that each parent should decide individually. Before introducing the gifts of the forest into the diet of children, it is better to consult a doctor.